“We call it a less-than-lethal option because there is a risk of death,” he added.

He said capsicum spray was introduced as an alternative to lethal force, but reliance on the weapon had crept up to the degree where it figured in 73 per cent of documented scenarios where Victorian police used force.

His comments came as an investigation continues into the death of a 29-year-old man in police custody last night.

The man was found dead in the back of a police divisional van at Dandenong police station, in Melbourne’s south, after he had been arrested and sprayed with the chemical device. (ANI)